Prime Minister Narendra Modi has brought about a seismic shift in Bharatiya politics by consciously and successfully moving away from identity politics to politics of development. Once synonymous with appeasement, divide and rule, dynastic influence and vote banks; politics today is about bringing structural changes in our socio-economic landscape, about empowering people for the nation’s progress; through a culture of development, accountability, transparency, prioritising pro-poor and performance-driven governance.
Roadmap for Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Guided by the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas, the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to build a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. This Bharat shall be self-reliant (Aatmanirbhar) & inclusive, which shall ensure basic necessities to all citizens of the country through various programmes and schemes.
Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas is not just a slogan! It is the new narrative and reality of contemporary Bharat. In a powerful speech in the Rajya Sabha during motion of thanks to the Hon’ble President’s address this year, PM Narendra Modi detailed the extensive work undertaken by his Government for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Communities. Whether it be in the unprecedented number of houses built (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana), water connections given (Jal Jeevan Mission), bank accounts (Jan Dhan), direct benefit transfer to farmers (PM KISAN) or free gas connections (Ujjwala), to name a few of the many schemes and programmes for the poor; the major beneficiaries of all these schemes hail from these communities and from the minority communities. While distributing these welfare measures, PM Modi’s Government does not differentiate between Hindus, Muslims or Christians.
From Poverty to Prosperity
Data do not lie. According to the IMF, in the last 10 years, 25 crore (250 million) Indians have been lifted above the poverty line and extreme poverty has been reduced to less than one per cent. This has been made possible by Prime Minister Modi’s initiative of providing free food grains to 80 crores (800 million) citizens, thereby, ensuring no one sleeps hungry.
Appeasement is the biggest political weapon for the Congress and some other political parties. Its priority is not the people of the country, but consolidating its vote banks. This has done considerable damage to our democratic values and ethos, not to mention the immense price the nation has had to pay. I shall illustrate this with an example. The Constitution does not provide religion-based reservations, but Congress and other political parties are bending over backwards to woo the Muslim community by promising them reservations, even at the expense of depriving the SCs, STs and OBCs of their legitimate and constitutional rights.
Disrespecting Constitution & Its Creator
Architect of our Constitution Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar neither subscribed to job reservations on religious lines; nor did the founding fathers (and mothers) of our Constitution adhere to it. But, time and again, opportunistic and divisive politics of certain politicians harp on such obtuse promises to belittle both our Constitution and its prime architect.
Constitution does not provide religion-based reservations, but Congress is bending over backwards to woo the Muslim community by promising them reservations
It is extremely unfortunate that during the Congress Government, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh emphasised that minorities have the first right on India’s resources, apparently to appease the Muslim voters. But even after ruling the country for over 50 years, Congress party hardly cared to improve the lot of the minorities. On the contrary, even as the opposition parties carry on a misinformation campaign that Modi’s Government is anti-minorities, facts tell us otherwise. Muslims and people from other minority communities benefited the most from welfare schemes during the last 10 years of the Narendra Modi Government. It is because the Modi Government does not indulge in differentiation of people on the basis of caste, creed or religion.
Government of India is implementing the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for welfare of minority communities. It is an overarching programme which covers various schemes/initiatives of the participating Ministries/Departments with an aim to ensure that the underprivileged and weaker sections of six centrally notified minority communities have equal opportunities for availing various Government welfare Schemes and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the country.
PM’s New 15 Point Programme
- Enhancing opportunities for education
- Ensuring an equitable share for minorities in economic activities and employment, through existing and new schemes, enhanced credit support for self-employment, and recruitment to State and Central Government jobs
- Improving conditions of minorities by ensuring an appropriate share for them in infrastructure development schemes
- Prevention and control of communal disharmony and violence
PM Honoured by Islamic Nations
PM Modi is the only Prime Minister who has been given maximum awards by Muslim countries, in recognition of his efforts to mainstream the minority community members, particularly those from the Muslim faith.
Meanwhile, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised, during her Budget 2024 speech, said, “The Government under the leadership of the Prime Minister firmly believes to focus on four major castes i.e. ‘Garib‘ (poor), ‘Mahilayen‘ (women), ‘Yuva’ (youth) and ‘Annadata‘ (farmer). Their needs, their aspirations, and their welfare are our highest priority. The country progresses when they progress. All four require and receive government support in their quest to better their lives. Their empowerment and well-being will drive the country forward.”
Indeed, PM Modi has changed the very character, colour and culture of India’s politics. By going beyond immediate political gain, PM Modi has redefined Indian politics by fostering a more inclusive and harmonious society. No wonder, Bharat is witnessing an unprecedented transformation and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with his charismatic leadership and mass appeal, plays a pivotal role in this transformation.
